Losses force Co-op to shut Travelmaker

Monday 21 December 2020

The Co-op is to close down its Travelmaker business, citing losses caused by the covid-19 pandemic.

It employs eight people in its Don Street and St Peter Travelmaker stores in Jersey, who have been offered redundancy or another job within the Co-op. Four staff were also employed in Guernsey. The Co-op says that existing travel bookings will be honoured.

Mark Cox, Chief Executive of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, said: “Having conducted a strategic review of our Co-operative Travelmaker business and given the negative and protracted impact that Covid-19 has had on the travel industry globally, we have made the difficult decision to exit our travel business and subsequently the Co-op Travelmaker will close on Sunday 31 January. 

“We have made every possible attempt to avoid this closure, however we are unable to sustain the level of losses incurred by this strand of the Society.  

Pictured: The main Travelmaker branch is in the Co-op headquarters' building in Don Street. Credit: Google Maps.

“All affected colleagues in Jersey and Guernsey have been told and are currently being supported. 

“They have been given the option of redeployment within other areas of the Co-op business, or the option of redundancy. We are in advanced discussions about a possible takeover of a Jersey travel branch and are supporting other colleagues in potentially setting themselves up as personal travel agents under Midcounties Co-operative Travel. Further details on this will be provided as soon as they are progressed and agreed.

“As a result of the closure, Travelmaker will not be accepting any new travel bookings from Friday 18 December, but all existing travel bookings will be honoured and remain unaffected by the closure. All existing bookings are held by the principal tour operator and remain financially protected through our ABTA bonding.

“We will continue to assist customers with any confirmed travel bookings and provide the necessary support for any recently cancelled holidays due to Covid-19 that are still awaiting a refund from the tour operator or travel provider.

Mr Cox added that travel vouchers could be redeemed in any of the Co-op food stores.